🎙️ Episode 1: How to Buy a Home in Ireland: A Step-by-Step Guide for Both Expats or Locals

Buying a home in Ireland in 2025 can feel overwhelming, especially if you're navigating the process for the first time. In this kickoff episode, hosts Katie and Mike break down the entire journey from saving your deposit to collecting your keys.

Whether you're a local first-time buyer, a returning Irish resident, or someone moving from abroad, this episode gives you the essential roadmap to owning a home in Ireland.

🍀 You’ll learn:

• How much you need for a deposit and how borrowing limits work in Ireland
• What supports are available for first-time buyers, like:
  • The Help to Buy (HTB) scheme
  • The First Home Scheme (FHS) shared equity option
• How to get mortgage approval in principle (AIP) and why it matters
• What "proof of funds" really means and why sellers care
• What extra costs to plan for (stamp duty, solicitor fees, surveys, BER, LPT, and more)
• What a solicitor (conveyancer) does, and how to find a good one
• How to use tools like Daft.ie, Sherry Fitzgerald, and mortgages.ie
• What to expect when buying new builds (snag lists, show houses, timelines, social housing allocation)
• How to research a neighborhood, compare real sale prices, and make a competitive offer
• Why surveyors and snag lists can save you thousands
• What to know about insurance, property registration, and getting your keys

We have gathered real-world insights from official Irish government resources, local estate agents, Reddit recommendations, and our own research into listings and support schemes all tailored to American buyers entering the Irish market for the first time.

🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• CCPC.ie - Step-by-step home buying guide
• First Home Scheme - Eligibility and info
• r/Cork - Solicitor recommendations
• Daft.ie - Property listings in Cork
• Mortgages.ie - First time buyer info
• Sherry FitzGerald - First-time buyer guide (PDF)
• Daft Blog - Supports for First-Time Buyers
• TPD Solutions - Pre-purchase surveys

📑 Chapter Markers:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Buying a Home in Ireland
• 01:05 - Understanding Deposits and Borrowing Limits
• 02:11 - Government Schemes for First-Time Buyers
• 03:37 - Proof of Funds and Buyer Types
• 04:34 - Budgeting Beyond the House Price
• 06:24 - Navigating the Mortgage Process
• 07:47 - Essential Paperwork and Mortgage Protection
• 09:18 - Finding a Property Solicitor
• 09:28 - Understanding the Role of a Solicitor
• 09:55 - Solicitor Fees and Recommendations
• 11:53 - House Hunting Tips for Expats
• 14:33 - Making an Offer and Sale Agreement
• 15:55 - Finalizing the Purchase
• 19:13 - Recap and Final Thoughts

🏡 This is Episode 1 of Keys to Ireland, a podcast for anyone looking to understand the home-buying process in Ireland for both expats and locals alike.
We are here to demystify the process and share the knowledge we wish we had when we started.

Hit subscribe and follow along for future episodes covering everything from picking a solicitor to what to do after move-in day.

📬 Contact us: keystoireland@gmail.com